Pool surface cleaning device

ABSTRACT

When this new and unique pool surface cleaning device is introduced into the market of pool cleaning products there will be no concern about damaging the surface of pools during the act of cleaning. This device incorporates a unique easily replaceable head system that may be as wide and long as necessary and composed of one or more sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads attached to a conventional extension handle commonly used in the cleaning process of swimming pools or a handle designed specifically to mate with the unique pool surface cleaning device. These heads can be quickly, easily and economically replaced when necessary and come in a variety of geometric shapes and sizes. A wide variety of pools exist beyond just swimming pools that require systematic cleaning of the surface. Spas are normally constructed of fiberglass, a great number of pools have vinyl liners and fiberglass, water parks have a variety of rides constructed with a vinyl rubberized and fiberglass surfaces and most bumper boat ponds have a fiberglass material on the sides.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of devices used in theprocess of cleaning pools, specifically but not limited to the cleaningthe bottom and sides of pools such as swimming pools, spas or water rideattractions. More specifically this device incorporates a unique easilyreplaceable head system composed of one or more sponge, cellularmaterial, fabric, fibrous or soft composition head or heads that use awiping motion and can be attached to a conventional extension handlecommonly used in the cleaning process of swimming pools or a handledesigned specifically to mate with the unique pool surface cleaningdevice. In addition this device may be made as wide and long as theoperator desires and may be used in combination with a brush head and asoft composition head or heads together on a dual head cleaning system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In order to maintain a swimming pool or any other pool in propercondition it is necessary to periodically clean the sides and bottom ofthe pool of algae and accumulated debris. The conventional method ofcleaning a pool would be to use an apparatus, which comprises anextension handle attached to a metal adapter upon which to attachdifferent brush heads. Brush head units have worked well for years ongunite pools, although they tend to leave lines or traces of algae andmust be worked back and forth to clean the surface adequately. Thefibers of the brush heads are gripped and held in place by the means ofa metal strip terminating at each end of the brush head. When thesemetal adapters and brush heads are used on vinyl liners or fiberglasspools with a smooth or rubberized surface where a great deal of caremust be taken not to tear the vinyl liner or scratch the fiberglasssurface with the sharp ends of these brush heads. The problem iscompounded when trying to get into tight corners and confined areas.Additionally these brush heads do not work as effectively on the smoothsurfaces of the vinyl, fiberglass or rubberized pool surface.

[0003] The scope of the present patent is to provide a device or devicesthat fits on a compatible metal adapter head, or a broad range ofexisting conventional metal adapter heads that are attached to anextension pole or a handle designed specifically to mate with the uniquepool surface cleaning device as wide and long as necessary for thecleaning of pools, especially vinyl liners, fiberglass or rubberizedpool surface, without the possibility of damaging the surface.

REFERENCES CITED

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,087 of Andrew S. Feinberg describes a waterfoil attached to a swimming pool brush or vacuum cleaning head. The foilhas a check valve structure incorporated therein so that the foil urgesa cleaning device against a swimming pool surface when pushed downthrough the water while presenting a minimum surface area during anupward stroke, thereby increasing the efficiency of a pool cleaningoperation. This device uses the conventional brushes for the scrubbingof the surface of a swimming pool, not the unique sponge, cellularmaterial, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads soindisclosed withinthis patent.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,917 of Allan Landsman teaches of anunderwater vane attached to a special support bracket, which isclamp-mounted on a standard pool broom pole. The vane is bent to formtwo equal planes joined together at a central axis. The axis has pivotholes from which the vane is transversely suspended over the pool broompole. When the pool broom pole is pushed or pulled through the water,the vane is caused to tip by water pressure until one side and then theother touches the pole. The angle formed between the vane and the polein either direction of motion causes the deflection of the pole and theattached cleaning device toward a surface being scrubbed. This deviceuses the conventional brushes for the scrubbing of the surface of aswimming pool, not the unique sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrousor soft composition heads soindisclosed within this patent.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,431 of Eli Meshulam discloses an attachmentfor a conventional swimming pool brush, which is designed tocontinuously urge the bristles into engagement with the sidewall of apool using a novel, immovable hydrofoil. The hydrofoil comprises anupstanding fin having a plurality of flow apertures and is connected toa base portion by a plurality of triangularly shaped support members.This is another device using the conventional brushes for the scrubbingof the surface of the swimming pool, not the unique sponge, cellularmaterial, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads soindisclosed withinthis patent.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,466 of Joseph J. Smitelli, III et al.describes a pool brush for cleaning all narrow areas of a pool such ascorners, stairs, seals, and where walls intersect as well as theintersection of where all floor areas meet the walls. The brush has ahead with a substantially cylindrical body and semi-spherical roundedends. All the brush bristles are perpendicular to and uniformly mountedapproximately {fraction (1/4)} inch center to center from one anotheracross all rounded surfaces of the brush head. Each of the adjacentbristles on the rounded surfaces is angled approximately 10 degrees fromone another. The bristles expand outward at approximately 280 degrees.This patent exemplifies the need for the protection and utility value ofthe ends of the pool cleaning devices, although it still uses the brushmethod of cleaning and does not incorporate the unique sponge, cellularmaterial, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads soindisclosed withinthis patent.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,241 of Carl K. Anumah tells of a bathtubbrush having a lower bristled surface with a flat central portion,upwardly angled, flat end portions, and convex curved surfaces betweenthe central and end portions. The curved portions are configured toconform to the rounded corner between the bottom and sides of a bathtub,thereby allowing simultaneous, effective cleaning of the bottom, sides,and rounded corner therebetween. The brush includes an elongated handleto allow the user to stand while cleaning the tub. This patent does notdescribe a device that would be usable to clean pools or the uniquesponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition headssoindisclosed within this patent.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,737 of Kevin Morse discloses a hydrodynamicattachment for use with a pool brush having scrubbing bristles at abrush head portion connected to a elongated pole. The hydrodynamicattachment has a base fin connected to the pool brush opposite thescrubbing bristles, and an outer fin connected to the base fin to form ascoop pocket. The scoop pocket has a generally C shaped cross-sectionsuch that the scoop pocket can temporally trap water when the pool brushis pushed in a downward motion. In this manner a transverse force isproduced against the brush head, which is then urged toward the targetsurface of a pool. This is another device using the conventional brushesfor the scrubbing of the surface of the swimming pool, not the uniquesponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition headssoindisclosed within this patent.

[0010] Consequently there exists a need for an apparatus that will cleanthe sides, bottom corners and tight locations of pools without thepossibility of damaging the surface. None of the foregoing prior artteaches or suggests the particular novelty of the pool surface-cleaningdevice described within this patent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The preferred embodiment of this invention consists of a poolsurface cleaning device with a tubular cleaning head having an internaltubular member and sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or softcomposition tubular element. The internal tubular member may beconstructed of rigid plastic, or material known to those in theindustry, or it may be made of a flexible plastic or other material thatwill conform to the irregular shapes in the bottom of some pools andspas. The external surface of the internal tubular member will besecured to the internal surface of the sponge, cellular material,fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element by means of adhesivebonding or in some conventional way fixed into place. A conventionalextension handle mounting head with mounting screws can be used as ameans to attach the tubular cleaning head to an extension handle. Theexternal and internal tubular surfaces of the pool surface cleaningdevice may come in a variety of geometric shapes including fluted,round, round with grooves, square, hexagonal, or any other conventionalgeometric shape including a variety of diameters, widths and lengths andstill be covered within the scope of this patent. Along with adapting toconventional extension handle mounting heads, the tubular cleaning heador heads will mount on a variety of long and short handles for thecleaning operation on all pools and spas, specializing in thoseconstructed with vinyl, fiberglass and rubberized surfaces. All thehandles will have some means of anti-rotation, so that the cleaning headmaintains a smooth even surface against the pool surface.

[0012] An alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device hastwo tubular cleaning heads sliding over a conventional extension handlemounting head from either side with a relief in one end of each cleaninghead to allow the two tubular cleaning heads to come together over thecentral portion and gussets of the extension handle mounting head. Theinternal tubular members are recessed to maintain a soft cushioned endconfiguration of the sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or softcomposition tubular element. Two opposing internal grooves within thealternate embodiment of the internal tubular member act as ananti-rotation elements when the alternate embodiment of the tubularcleaning heads are slid over the rectangular arm of the extension handlemounting head from either end.

[0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theconception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilizedas a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems forcarrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It isimportant, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

[0014] The object of this invention is to create a means to clean a poolwithout damaging the surface.

[0015] Another object of this invention is to create a device that doesnot incorporate a brush, but consists of one or more sponge, cellularmaterial, fabric, fibrous or soft composition heads.

[0016] Another object of this invention is to create a device that canbe used on pools made with soft vinyl or rubber liners without theconcern of tearing or otherwise damaging the material surface.

[0017] Another object of this invention is to create a device that canbe used on pools constructed of fiberglass without the concern ofscratching the surface.

[0018] Yet another object of this invention is to create a device ordevices that fit on a compatible adapter head, or a broad range ofexisting conventional metal adapter heads attached to conventionalhandle or extension pole.

[0019] A further object of this invention is to create a device made ofa sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition headswhere the ends can safely be used to clean corners and tight places.

[0020] Still another object of this invention is to create a device thatwill not make brush marks on the surface of a pool but clean in onesimple wiping motion.

[0021] And still another object of this invention is to create a devicethat can after one side is worn, can be rotated to produce a freshsurface.

[0022] And yet another object of this invention is to have a brush headin combination with the soft composition head or heads used together ina dual head cleaning system.

[0023] A final object of this invention is to ease and speed up theoperation of cleaning a wide variety of pools and spas.

[0024] These together with other objects and advantages which becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of thisinvention.

[0026]FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of the pool surface cleaningdevice with the cleaning head shown in cross section with the extensionhandle mounting head and mounting screws.

[0027]FIG. 2 depicts a view of the pool surface cleaning device with ashort handle and the cleaning head in cross section.

[0028]FIG. 3 depicts a section through the cleaning head of the poolsurface cleaning device shown in a fluted configuration, with theunderstanding that the shape can be round, round with slots, square,hexagonal, or any outer conventional geometric shape and still becovered within the scope of this patent.

[0029]FIG. 4 depicts a section of the cleaning head, illustrating theanti-rotation element of the internal support member.

[0030]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment ofthe pool surface cleaning device with two cleaning heads sliding over aconventional extension handle mounting head and coming together in thecenter.

[0031]FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a single cleaning head forthe pool surface cleaning device with a segment of the short handle andanti-rotation element.

[0032]FIG. 7 depicts a section through the cleaning head of the poolsurface cleaning device shown in the optional circular configurationwith a plurality of grooves.

[0033]FIG. 8 depicts an end view of the internal tubular member of thecleaning head of the pool surface cleaning device, illustrating one formof the anti-rotation elements.

[0034]FIG. 9 depicts a side view of a conventional extension handlemounting head.

[0035]FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of the alternate embodiment ofthe pool surface cleaning device with the two cleaning heads.

[0036]FIG. 11 depicts a section through an alternate embodiment of thepool surface cleaning device with the extension handle mounting to asquare solid internal member by the means of screws.

[0037]FIG. 12 depicts a section of an alternate embodiment of the poolsurface cleaning device with a square tubular internal anti-rotationmember.

[0038]FIG. 13 depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of theconventional extension handle mounting head with square arms.

[0039]FIG. 14 depicts a side view of another alternate embodiment of theextension handle mounting head with the added brush mounting arm.

[0040]FIG. 15 depicts a section through another alternate embodiment ofthe pool surface cleaning device with an oval tubular internal supportand anti-rotation member.

[0041]FIG. 16 depicts a side view of another alternate embodiment of theconventional extension handle mounting head with oval arm configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts of theinvention are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen inFIG. 1 an exploded view of the pool surface cleaning device 10A with thetubular cleaning head 12A shown in cross section illustrating theinternal support member 14A and sponge, cellular material, fabricfibrous or soft composition tubular element 16A. The internal supportmembers' 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E may be constructed of rigidplastic, or material known to those in the industry or it may be made ofa flexible plastic or other material that will conform to the irregularshapes in the bottom of some pools and spas. Additionally the internalsupport members' 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E may be tubular or solid andshaped circular, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal or any othergeometric configuration that will prevent rotation. The external surface18 of the internal support members' 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E will besecured to the internal surface 20 of the sponge, cellular material,fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element 16A, 16B, and 16C bymeans of adhesive bonding, screwed or in some other way fixed in place.FIG. 1 also illustrates the convenience of using the conventionalextension handle mounting head 22 and mounting screws 24 as a means toattach the tubular cleaning head 12A to an extension handle.

[0043]FIG. 2 depicts a view of the alternate embodiment of the poolsurface cleaning device 10B with a short handle 26 and the tubularcleaning head 12A in cross section. FIG. 3 depicts a section through thecleaning head 12A of the pool surface cleaning device 10A showing thefluted configuration 26, with the understanding that the shape can beround, round with grooves, square, hexagonal, or any other conventionalgeometric shape and still be covered within the scope of this patent.FIG. 4 depicts a section of the tubular cleaning head 12A, illustratingthe anti-rotation element 30 of the internal support member 14A. Thesupport bar 32 of the short handle 26 slides within the anti-rotationslot 34 located within the anti-rotation element 30. The anti-rotationelement 30 and the anti-rotation slot 34 can be on both sides of theinternal support member 14A so that the tubular cleaning head 12A may beremoved and rotated to produce a fresh cleaning surface on the sponge,cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element16A.

[0044]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an another alternateembodiment of the pool surface cleaning device 10C with anotheralternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head 12B, sliding over aconventional extension handle mounting head 22 with a relief 36 in oneend of the alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head 12B toallow both tubular cleaning heads 12B to come together over the supporthead 22 and the handle gussets 40 attaching to extension handle 38.FIGS. 5 and 6 endeavors to clarify the recessed ends 42 of the alternateembodiment of the internal support members 14B maintaining a softcushioned end configuration of the sponge, cellular material, fabric,fibrous or soft composition tubular element 16B and the optionalplurality of longitudinal grooves 44 with the optional cylindrical shapeof the alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head 12B. FIG. 6also depicts the capability of using a short handle 26 with arectangular anti rotation member 45. It must be reemphasized here thatthe external and internal shape of the tubular cleaning heads 12A, 12B,12C, and 12D can be fluted, round, round with grooves, square,hexagonal, or any outer conventional geometric shape and still becovered within the scope of this patent. Two opposing internal grooves46 within the alternate embodiment of the internal support member 14A,14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E can be fluted, round, round with grooves, square,hexagonal, or any outer conventional geometric shape and act as ananti-rotation element and still be covered within the scope of thispatent when the alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head orheads 12A, 12B, 12C, or 12D can be made to slide over the arms 48 withthe mating configuration.

[0045]FIG. 11 depicts a section through another alternate embodiment ofthe pool surface cleaning head 12C with the extension handle mounting toanother alternate embodiment of a solid internal support member 14C bythe means of screws 24. FIG. 12 depicts a section of another alternateembodiment of the pool surface cleaning device 12C with anotheralternate embodiment of the internal support member 14D within eitherthe sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft compositiontubular element 16A or the alternate embodiment of the sponge, cellularmaterial, fabric, fibrous or soft composition tubular element 16B with asquare internal orifice 50. FIG. 13 depicts a side view of an alternateembodiment of the conventional extension handle mounting head 22A withsquare arms 48B. It must also be understood that the arms of theextension handle mounting head 22 may be any geometric configurationthat will retard rotation and still be covered within the scope of thispatent. FIG. 14 depicts a side view of still another alternateembodiment of the pool surface cleaning device 10D with the extensionhandle mounting head 22B and the added brush mounting arm 52 and a brush54.

[0046]FIG. 15 depicts a section through another alternate embodiment ofthe pool surface cleaning device 12D with an oval tubular internalsupport and anti-rotation member 14F. FIG. 16 depicts a side view ofanother alternate embodiment of the conventional extension handlemounting head 22C with oval arm configuration 48.

NUMBER LIST

[0047]10A—Pool surface cleaning device

[0048]10B—Alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaning device

[0049]10C—Another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaningdevice

[0050]10D—Still another alternate embodiment of the pool surfacecleaning device

[0051]12A—Tubular cleaning head

[0052]12B—Alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head

[0053]12C—Another alternate embodiment of the tubular cleaning head

[0054]12D—Another alternate embodiment of the pool surface cleaningdevice

[0055]14A—Internal support member

[0056]14B—Alternate embodiment of the internal support member

[0057]14C—Another alternate embodiment of the internal support member

[0058]14D—Another alternate embodiment of the internal support member

[0059]16A—Sponge, cellular material, fabric, fibrous or soft compositiontubular element

[0060]16B—Alternate embodiment of the sponge, cellular material, fabric,fibrous or soft composition tubular element

[0061]18—External surface of 14

[0062]20—Internal surface of 16

[0063]22—Extension handle mounting head

[0064]22A—Alternate embodiment of the extension handle mounting head

[0065]22B—Another alternate embodiment of the extension handle mountinghead

[0066]22C—Another alternate embodiment of the extension handle mountinghead

[0067]24—Mounting screws

[0068]26—Short handle

[0069]28—Fluted configuration of the cleaning head

[0070]30—Anti-rotation element

[0071]32—Support bar

[0072]34—Anti-rotation slot

[0073]36—Relief in 16B

[0074]38—Handle

[0075]40—Handle gussets

[0076]42—Recessed ends

[0077]44—Grooves

[0078]45—Rectangular anti-rotation member

[0079]46—Internal grooves within 14B

[0080]48 arm of 22

[0081]50—Square internal orifice

[0082]52—Brush mounting arm

[0083]54—Brush

[0084] The pool surface cleaning devices 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D shown inthe drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements ofelements of particular construction and configuration for illustratingpreferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of thepresent invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements ofdifferent construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof,other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providinga pool surface cleaning devices 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D in accordance withthe spirit of this invention, and such changes, alternations andmodifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are consideredto be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A Pool Surface Cleaning device comprising: a. A softcomposition head that uses a wiping motion, an internal support memberfor the soft composition head, an anti-rotation device, and a means ofattachment to a pole or extension pole used for cleaning pools, spas,etc. b. One or more soft composition cleaning heads with the cleaningheads having an internal support member, a means of attachment toextension handle mounting head, or handle for a pole. c. The softcomposition cleaning head or heads having an internal support member canhave a kind of handle specifically made for the soft compositioncleaning head or heads. d. The soft composition cleaning head or headscan be used in combination with a brush head where the soft compositioncleaning head or heads and the brush head would be set at opposingangles and have a means of attachment to the extension handle mountinghead so that it can easily be attached to a pole or extension pole. 2.The pool surface cleaning device as in claim 1 whereas having softcomposition head or heads can come in a variety of geometrical shapes,diameters, widths, and lengths.
 3. The pool surface cleaning device asin claim 1 whereas having an internal support member, the internalsupport member can also come in a variety of geometrical shapes,diameters, widths, and lengths.
 4. The pool surface cleaning device asin claim 1 whereas having an internal support member, the internalsupport member can be tubular or solid and can be used as a means ofattachment to the extension handle mounting head.
 5. The pool surfacecleaning device as in claim 1 whereas having an internal support member,the internal support member can be recessed inwardly from the ends ofthe soft composition head or heads so as to safety be used to cleancorners and tight areas without concerns of damaging the pool or spasurface to be cleaned.